2011 Spring Marathon suggestions

maryishairy

Hi all

I'm contemplating my first marathon in the spring of 2011. I'm looking for suggestions as to which marathon would be the most suitable in terms of accessibility (flights etc), course (flat and fast....a must!) and climate (suitable running conditions).

My early research has pointed me towards Rotterdam in April (London is closed for entries) but I'm open to other suggestions based on the above criteria or is there a marathon here in Ireland that fits the bill?

BrokenMan

Paris and Barcelona are also spring marathons.

TFBubendorfer

Killarney in March, maybe?

Krusty_Clown

I'm a big fan of Barcelona, as it's where my current PB is from. It's a great marathon for runners. Water in bottles, Powerade, again bottles. Very flat except for a couple of gentle climbs towards the end of the race. Weather is cool in March, but of course you're at the mercy of the weather demons. Flights are cheap, accommodation is cheap, food is great. I'd like to try Rotterdam also, as it sounds great too.

Tipp man running

Well you could stay at home and hold out for the Cork marathon if it isn't too late in the year for you. Been your first marathon it might be easier to get ready and nice to run on home turf. However I hope the weather isn't anything like it was this year, 2010, lashed raining from start to finish with a good galeforce wind thrown in for good measure. Maybe Barcelona isn't such a bad idea, wheres my plane tickets.:)

Van.Bosch

I have been planning a Spring marathon for about the last 6 months and I have decided to go with Barcelona. Mainly the date suits me with when I can start my training so I was looking for one around then. Rotterdam is a few weeks later so would also suit but it clashes with Connemara and I have some unfinished business with the half marathon course there!Also Barcelona as a marathon comes highly recommended on here, and Krusty's report especially puts forward a good case for it. Also its a nice city and easy to get to. Barcelona FC are also playing in town that weekend which is an added bonus for me.

Krusty_Clown

Just to temper all of my sugar with a little salt: We had perfect running conditions, but the day we flew out, there was two inches of snow on the ground. :eek: Other years have reported strong winds along the coastal sections and I don't think I saw a loo/portacabin for the entire duration of the race. Otherwise it was spot on.

rainbow kirby

Van.Bosch wrote: »

Barcelona FC are also playing in town that weekend which is an added bonus for me.

Almost a good enough reason to do Barcelona

G-Money

If you are looking for something close location wise, the Belfast City Marathon is at the beginning of May.

http://www.belfastcitymarathon.com

itsalltrue

Kildare Marathon will be on in May. Its the first year so i'm not sure what the course would be like.
The Connamarathon is on in April and is a tough enough course

liamo123

maryishairy wrote: »

Hi all

I'm contemplating my first marathon in the spring of 2011. I'm looking for suggestions as to which marathon would be the most suitable in terms of accessibility (flights etc), course (flat and fast....a must!) and climate (suitable running conditions).

My early research has pointed me towards Rotterdam in April (London is closed for entries) but I'm open to other suggestions based on the above criteria or is there a marathon here in Ireland that fits the bill?

I have to concur with Krusty..Barcelona in March is ideal..Ran it earlier in year and doing so again in 2011... Flat course well supported and v well organised..also accommodation v reasonably priced.. Aer Lingus have 30% sale on til midnight so get booking:)

Krusty_Clown

liamo123 wrote: »

Aer Lingus have 30% sale on til midnight so get booking:)

Damn you Liamo... Damn you....

runningcoach

My favourite spring flat marathons are Hamburg(april) , Paris (april) and Seville (late Feb).

Any of the above courses will give you a great opportunity for a PB. Paris and Hamburg also have the added bonus of pacers.

RacoonQueen

I'd recommend Barcelona aswell. I thought it was a fantastic event despite the crappy time I had out there.

I also +1 Krustys sentiments to Liamo. They're so cheap, and I really want to run Barcelona properly, and I've said since last year that I was definitely going to go back to do Barcelona again....

baza1976

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Killarney in March, maybe?

ANyone got a link to this?? I've looked (honest) but can't find a link. I have found links where there is mention of a meeting but thata as close as I can get.

redved

Another one to keep in mind is Valencia in Feb.
Lovely city, perfect temperature, flat course. I'd nearly do it again myself:)

TFBubendorfer

baza1976 wrote: »

ANyone got a link to this?? I've looked (honest) but can't find a link. I have found links where there is mention of a meeting but thata as close as I can get.

That page you mentioned is the only web page I know off, but from talking to local runners around here, everyone seems to be pretty sure this is going ahead. I even had someone describing the route to me in detail a couple of weeks ago.

Trigal

Hi folks, just following this thread as am also thinking of a spring time marathon in europe. Anyone any thoughts, experience of the Rome marathon, which is in march?

I've done paris & hamburg (hamburg favourite by FAR).

Noted on Barcelona which is tempting but just fancied trying a new city I haven't visited before.

thanks

yaboya1

Seville is on in mid-February. Only €20 and most people who've run it seem to give it good reviews. I was really looking forward to it but something has come up now which prevents me from participating.
Maybe 2012?

Krusty_Clown

Trigal wrote: »

Hi folks, just following this thread as am also thinking of a spring time marathon in europe. Anyone any thoughts, experience of the Rome marathon, which is in march?

I've done paris & hamburg (hamburg favourite by FAR).

Noted on Barcelona which is tempting but just fancied trying a new city I haven't visited before.

thanks

I was looking into it previously (not so sure any more). Seems to get pretty reasonable reviews, though the registration process is a little convoluted (think you have to submit a doctor's cert before you register). I also thought flight options would be cheaper/more flexible. Hotels are pretty expensive too. Also, parts of the course are on cobblestones. Can get quite hot too. But otherwise it seems grand!

Trigal

Thanks Krusty, Think I'll let fate decide on prices between barcelona & rome.

--amadeus--

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

I was looking into it previously (not so sure any more). Seems to get pretty reasonable reviews, though the registration process is a little convoluted (think you have to submit a doctor's cert before you register). I also thought flight options would be cheaper/more flexible. Hotels are pretty expensive too. Also, parts of the course are on cobblestones. Can get quite hot too. But otherwise it seems grand!

Wow, talk about daming with faint praise!

If you are looking at April I'll always recommend Rotterdam

Caprica

Has anyone done the Madrid marathon? Was hoping for London but didn't get in on the International ballot and Sports Travel is booked out. Is it at altitude? Paris is also an option, which I was favouring but then Madrid came up.

anymore

Ive been looking at one in the town of Apeldoorn, Netherlands :
http://www.midwintermarathon.nl/en/index.php

Wonder if anyone knows anything about it ?
There are regular trains from Amsterdam, so would be convenient for access.